Cabot Bigham joins Herta for 2017

Bryan Herta Rallysport has announced that 2016 Red Bull Global Rallycross Lites champion Cabot Bigham will drive the number 2 car for the team this season.

The Californian has long been rumoured to join the race-winning team, and steps in to replace Patrik Sandell who departed for Subaru at the beginning of the year.

“I am extremely excited to make the move up to Supercars with such an amazing team,” said Bigham. “Winning the Lites championship last year meant a lot to me, but for 2017 I’m hitting the reset button and will immerse myself within the team to learn as much as possible and perform from the very first weekend.”

“The entire team has warmly introduced themselves and made me feel right at home,” he added. “I feel as though we both passionately want to prove that Bryan Herta Rallysport is a force to be reckoned with. In 2017 our collective efforts will show the true potential of our outfit.”

The Checkered Flag recently spoke to Bigham about his plans for 2017, and although the deal wasn’t fully in place at the time, he was confident of his plans for this year saying: “I have a clear picture of what my season looks like,” the Californian said. “It involves Red Bull Global Rallycross, the left seat, three pedals and lots of heart.”

2017 will be Bryan Herta Rallysport’s third season as a team in Red Bull GRC, and team co-owner, Bryan Herta is thrilled with the direction the outfit is going in.

“This is an exciting time for our team and the Red Bull Global Rallycross series,” he said. “Last year saw record TV ratings and attendance, and we solidified our place as a legitimate threat to win on any event on the series schedule.”

“2017 begins a new adventure as we welcome Cabot Bigham to the team as we develop and grow towards the future,” he continued. “We are very happy with the package we will be taking to the track this year; the season opener in Memphis on April 29th can’t get here soon enough.”

Two-time Indianapolis 500-winning owner Herta’s involvement with Red Bull GRC began in 2014 as a backer to Austin Dyne‘s entry. He would run his own two-car team a year later with Dyne and Sandell behind the wheel.

Dyne left the team at the beginning of last year to start his own operation, leaving Sandell as the team’s sole driver in 2016. He claimed victory in Dallas, adding to his Detroit II win with the team in 2015.